Personal income increased $122.0 billion (0.5 percent at a monthly rate) in March, according to estimates released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (tables 2 and 3). Disposable personal income (DPI), personal income less personal current taxes, increased $104.0 billion (0.5 percent) and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $160.9 billion (0.8 percent). The PCE price index increased 0.3 percent. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 0.3 percent (table 5). Real DPI increased 0.2 percent in March and real PCE increased 0.5 percent; goods increased 1.1 percent and services ... (full story)

Inflation showed little signs of letting up in March, with a key barometer the Federal Reserve watches closely showing that price pressures remain elevated. The personal consumption expenditures price index excluding food and energy increased 2.8% from a year ago in March, the same as in February, the Commerce Department reported Friday. That was above the 2.7% estimate from the Dow Jones consensus. Including food and energy, the all-items PCE price gauge increased 2.7%, compared to the 2.6% estimate. On a monthly basis, both measures increased 0.3%, as expected. Markets showed little reaction to the data, with Wall ... (full story)